Time Schedule:
Sebastien G. Lazardeux
POL S 438
Seattle Campus
Study of contemporary France. Structures of government in the Fifth Republic; nature of French voting behavior and evolution of the bipolarized political party system; behavior of political interest groups; training of France' s administrative elite and functioning of the state bureaucracy; dynamics of policy-making.
Class description
Description: This course is a survey course on contemporary French politics and government. We will use recent developments in French politics (the 2008 revision of the constitution, the rise of political extremism, the governmental response to the global economic crisis) as entry points to the analysis of the institutions, political actors and policy-making processes under the Fifth Republic. Prior knowledge of French might be useful, but in no way is a requirement for this course.
Student learning goals
Knowledge of the main events that have marked French history since 1958
Knowledge of the organization of the French political system
Knowledge of concepts specific to the French political system
Ability to write clearly, to synthesize information and to critically analyze scholarly work.
General method of instruction
Lecture, discussion
Recommended preparation
Textbooks: The following book and a reading packet are required for the course. William Safran, The French Polity, 7th edition (2009).
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: One midterm exam, one final paper, final exam, short writing assignments.
Grading: Exams, Paper, Short Assignments
